How To Cope With The Health-Insurance Blues

There's little good news for small-business owners, or for individuals who have to find and pay for their own coverage. Surveys indicate that health-insurance premiums will continue to increase by double-digit percentages through 2005. At the same time, prospects remain dim for any legislation that might ease the burden on small businesses trying to provide coverage for their employees. The prospect of more hikes is sure to leave thousands of businesses scrambling for options. But with few businesses able to simply absorb insurance rate hikes of this magnitude, it unfortunately makes sense to look at all your options if you get a notice that your own health coverage is attached to a rate rocket.